SHOPPERS visiting high streets across Wirral will be able to pop in to pharmacies for heart checks as part of a revamp of services.

It is thought the NHS high street heart checks could prevent almost 35,000 heart disease cases in Wirral.

The quick, free and painless high street heart checks will be offered at the following locations:

  • Lloyds Pharmacy branches in Arrowe Park, Victoria Health Centre, Liscard and West Kirby
  • Swettenham Chemists branches in Bromborough, Rock Ferry and Tranmere
  • M & A Weinronk, Pensby
  • Rowlands Pharmacy, Moreton
  • Tesco Instore Pharmacy, Birkenhead
  • The Pharmacy, Bebington
  • Tree Tops Pharmacy, Birkenhead

The checks are part of an ambitious target the NHS in England has set itself as part of its Long-Term Plan to prevent tens of thousands of strokes and heart attacks nationally, over the next ten years.

There are an estimated 34,350 adults in Wirral living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

This group, who make up more than 10% of the peninsula’s population, are unknown to their general practices and could be at risk of developing serious heart disease.

The checks are part of a new £13 billion five-year contract for community pharmacists which aims to expand their roles and offer earlier detection of diseases.

Cllr Chris Jones, cabinet member for adult care and health, said: "This new service will increase detection of high blood pressure, not only reaching people who may develop problems in the future but, vitally, giving Wirral residents the right support and advice to improve their health and reduce their risk of heart disease."

More than 100 pharmacies in Cheshire and Merseyside have begun offering blood pressures screening services, under a local initiative, backed by the British Heart Foundation, with plans to recruit more than 200 more chemists to the service as it expands.

Dr Paula Cowan, chair of Wirral CCG and local GP, said: "Reducing lifestyle risks such as smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity are key to preventing heart conditions and serious ill health, but swift detection can help too.

"Catching symptoms which can lead to heart disease and other conditions early on, through the high street heart checks, will be a valuable resource."

Hassan Argomandkhah, Senior Clinical Pharmacist and Chair of the Pharmacy Local Professional Network on Merseyside, said: "Increasing the detection of high blood pressure, will not only identify people who may develop problems in the future but, importantly, give members of the public the right support and advice to manage any potential risk and will save countless lives."